Thailand follows well-worn Asian path from Democracy
Thailand's opposition has already overthrown one elected premier. Now it wants to overthrow another, as it believes democracy gives too much power to the country's poor majority.
The PAD argues that the votes of the rural poor, which swept the popular Thaksin and Samak to power, have been bought with free healthcare and improved living standards, degrading the state of democracy in the country. The irony is that PAD wants a new parliament with a 70:30 split: 70% appointees, and 30% elected representatives. This would give power to the army and bureaucracy rather than the poor majority. It's similar to the system used by Indonesia's former dictator president Suharto, and currently proposed by the military junta in Burma hardly shining examples of democracy. That, says Thomas Bell in The Daily Telegraph, is a blow to the region. "Of the ten members of Asean the club of South East Asian Nations only five, including Thailand, claim to be democracies."
Still, there might be one beneficiary from the violence, says Duncan McCargo in The Guardian. Thaksin, holed up in his Surrey mansion, has applied for asylum in the UK. "The newly declared state of emergency in Bangkok may strengthen his claim that he should not be sent home just yet."
MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Get the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis from our award-winning MoneyWeek team, to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
MoneyWeek is written by a team of experienced and award-winning journalists, plus expert columnists. As well as daily digital news and features, MoneyWeek also publishes a weekly magazine, covering investing and personal finance. From share tips, pensions, gold to practical investment tips - we provide a round-up to help you make money and keep it.
-
Reeves warned against property tax shake-up – 3 ways it could backfire on first-time buyers
Rachel Reeves reportedly has her eye on high-end property taxes in the upcoming Budget, but there are concerns a shake-up could unintentionally hamper those trying to get on the housing ladder
-
Average Brits want to retire five years before they can – who has the widest retirement gap?
Brits are expecting to work for longer than ever but there are big disparities in the number of extra working years predicted. A small tweak could help close the gap